Rainbow Medical Clinic

The Rainbow kids had a mini medical clinic this past weekend.  Verson, a clinical officer (think nurse practicioner) from ABC Clinic, was hired to come out to do medical assessments on the children.  We hope to do this at least yearly.  He did a complete physical and prescribed any meds that the children may need.  Many ear infections, tonsilitis, upper and lower respiratory infections, etc. were found.  

Verson and Aida

Future nurse Monica (one of our oldest girls) was put in charge of vitals.  She took all of the kids weights and temps before they saw Verson.

Thank you for your support of Rainbow which allows us to be able to give the children the medical care they need.  God bless!

Permaculture teaching at Rainbow

Rainbow is learning a lot about permaculture and gardening.  The kids are really enjoying watching the new methods of gardening and helping out with the watering, planting, and care of the gardens.  Below Jeremy is letting the kids plant some seeds in old milk cartons so that we can grow them inside our house in the windows for the first few weeks. This ensures that they get a good solid start as plants.  They are then transferred into the garden.  Each month we transplant the seed starts from the milk cartons into the garden.  

The kids are planting their seeds

Samson is helping to water the gardens

Cute Samson!

Fatsani takes over with watering

Permaculture gardens in the foreground.  The teaching area can be seen at the back where Jeremy and the kids are planting their seeds.

The kids have been using this teaching area a lot recently.  Notice the chalkboard behind Jeremy.  The kids love playing school there.  Also, the new tutoring that we've started with all of the kids has been really helpful.  The big kids and their tutor are using this area during the tutoring sessions.  

Philirani and baby J

A small shot of some of our plants.  Onions, tomatoes, and spinach...

Abraham and Fatsani

Chifundo and Veronica

Beatrice!  

E3 Event Weekend- Soccer tournament

The Gusu Medical clinic/Soccer tournament event was held last weekend.  Over 1200 patients were seen at the medical clinic over the two days.  Then thousands were on hand to watch as 14 teams played in the E3 soccer tournament.  A new tournament champion was crowned as the Chisomo Idea team (with many friends from ABC and other ministries) were the victors!  Most importantly, the Word was shared and seeds were planted in hopes of bringing the people of Gusu/Jidi villages to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  To God be the Glory!

Tournament play!

Sam Kwale announcing the winners of the tournament and handing out the awards

CJ and Rafiki (the royal blue shirt just above CJ) listening to the awards ceremony.  Rafiki is CJ's best friend from Rainbow.  He went with us to Gusu.  

Thousands were on hand to watch football, and in turn to hear the Gospel!

Awards given out

Chief Gusu

Sam

A short term team from California spent the week camping out at Gusu and helping with many projects.  Jeremiah, on the right, was the leader of the team.  Many thanks for all they did!

Chisomo Idea wins the tournament!!!!!

Cosmos Phiri (leader of the Chisomo Idea team) took the mic to share the Gospel to all in attendance!  Praise God for these amazing young men on FIRE for the Lord!  

Chisomo Idea

So thankful for yet another successful E3 Event Weekend!  

Rainbow Staff 2013

Rainbow Child Development Center 2013

54 children, 6 staff, 4 missionaries, 4 missionary kids

Our oldest Rainbow kids: 

Back row: Fallos, Macfarlen, Mike 

Front row: Aida, Monica, Fallos, Estelle, Kupata, Mirriam, Maya, Marriam, Julita

Not pictured: Collins

Lucas and Tiyamike House

The Kyser Family

Maize!

This is the time of year for harvesting and putting up the maize crops that have been growing during the rainy season.  Rainbow was blessed with a great harvest this year.  Maize is the staple food for most Malawians and a good maize crop can ensure that Malawians don't starve.  Maize is turned into oofa which is used to make Nsima.  No meal in Malawi is complete without nsima!

Here at Rainbow the kids and staff eat nsima at lunch and supper. They will have a variety of other foods along with nsima but they ALWAYS have nsima. 

The photos below show how the maize is "put up".  The maize is shelled by throwing the dried corn cobs (with the corn still on them) into the shelling machine.  Ideally the individual kernels all come out one end of the machine while the cobs come out the other end.  Of course, the machine doesn't quite work that well, but it helps.   

Here the kids are helping Jeremy pull the cobs out of the way.  The cobs are distributed through the community and used for many things such as fire wood, etc.  Everything in Malawi is recycled but in natural ways.  

Jeremy and Martin

Yamikani helping to throw the maize.

Brother Scotty's team is learning how to help with the maize shelling.

Sometimes it's easier to do it the old fashioned way...by hand!

SM is sitting on top of the huge pile of harvested maize.  All of that maize will have to be shelled, sifted, and bagged.  

Ida and SM on the maize

And of course, the kids made a playground out of the maize kernels.  Who needs Chuck-e-cheese?

This year's maize harvest was a great one!  It should be more than enough to feed the children and staff for the entire year.  Praise God!